In addition to providing an array of hands-on geospatial training opportunities, The Virginia Geospatial Extension Program facilitates the adoption of geospatial products and services at local, regional, and state levels.  Learn more about some of our projects and programming efforts:

 

The Geospatial Technician Education through Virginia's Community Colleges (GTEVCC) project (2007 - present)

• The Virginia Geospatial Extension Program, in partnership with the Virginia Space Grant Consortium, John Tyler Community College, Virginia Western Community College, and Tidewater Community College and the Virginia Community College System were awarded a grant from the National Science Foundation to facilitate geospatial technician education across VCCS member institutions. This $900,000 project includes several elements, including: professional development for VCCS faculty, the development of a geospatial Webportal, geospatial awareness efforts, the establishment of certificate programs, and identifying geospatial pipeline. Read more about this initiative through the following links:
• http://www.vtnews.vt.edu/story.php?relyear=2009&itemno=549
• http://www.vtmagazine.vt.edu/fall09/VaTechMagazine-Fall09.pdf (page 4)

 

The Urban Tree Canopy (UTC) Project (2007 - present)

• The analyses of Virginia localities' urban tree canopy (UTC) was carried out at the request of the Virginia Department of Forestry in collaboration with the participating localities, the Chesapeake Bay Program and the USDA Forest Service. The analysis was performed by the Virginia Department of Forestry and the Virginia Geospatial Extension Program (VGEP) at Virginia Tech’s Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation in consultation with the Center for Environmental Applications and Remote Sensing (CEARS) and the Spatial Analysis Laboratory (SAL) of the University of Vermont. Learn more about the UTC project at the following links: The program Website can be accessed here: http://www.cnr.vt.edu/gep/va_utc.html
• Additional information about the program is available from here:
  http://www.cnr.vt.edu/gep/pdfFiles/VAGeoNewsletter-Fall2008.pdf

 

The Rocky Knob Destination Centerpiece Project (2007 - 2009)

• A research team comprised of the Virginia Geospatial Extension Program, tourism experts from the Virginia Tech's Pamplin College of Business and Clemson University received a $266,000 grant from the National Park Service and Blue Ridge Heritage Inc. to help develop a sustainable tourism strategy for the Rocky Knob area of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The full report from this study can be downloaded from here: http://www.cnr.vt.edu/gep/RockyKnobReport.html
• Additional information associated with this project can be accessed through the following links:
  http://www.cnr.vt.edu/cnr_pdf/cnr%20newsletter%20spring%202009.pdf
  http://www.pamplin.vt.edu/magazine/fall08.pdf (Page 4)
  http://www.vt.edu/spotlight/achievement/2008-09-22_tourism/2008-09-22_tourism.html
  http://www.roanoke.com/business/wb/170242

VirginiaView (2004 - present)

• VirginiaView is a statewide program that supports the delivery of satellite remote sensing data and technologies in support of applied research, K-16 education, workforce development, and technology transfer. It is part of the AmericaView consortium.

 

The Virginia Metadata Training Program (2006-2007)

• The Virginia Metadata Training Program was developed in partnership with researchers at James Madison University and the Virginia Geographic Information Network. Funding was provided from the Federal Geographic Data Committee. This training program served as the foundation for the Virginia Metadata Clearinghouse. The curriculum and training approach has been adopted by other states. For additional information can be accessed here:
• http://www.cnr.vt.edu/gep/metadata.html
• http://www.cpe.vt.edu/usgsmt/index.html
• http://www.fgdc.gov/library/spatially-speaking/spatially-speaking-may08.pdf

The Southern Virginia Bioenergy Project (2007-2008)

• Bioenergy is gaining increased attention, funding, and momentum across the United States. Bio-energy provides a multitude of national, regional, and local benefits. Benefits include a reduced reliance on foreign energy sources, a decrease in landfill waste, support for rural development efforts. Southern Virginia is well poised to take advantage of perspective bioenergy initiatives. The Virginia Geospatial Extension Program provided analysis over a 5 county region in southern Virginia. The goal of the project was to assess potential bioenergy feedstock availability, and to assist local communities in their efforts to lure bioenergy investors. Learn more about the Virginia Bioenergy Project from the following links:
  http://www.cnr.vt.edu/gep/bioenergy.html
• http://www.cnr.vt.edu/gep/pdfFiles/VAGeoNewsletter-Summer2008.pdf

 

The Virginia Bikeways Mapping Project (2007 - 2009)

• The goal of the Virginia Bikeways Mapping is to develop a comprehensive GIS database of all nonmotorized trails in the Commonwealth. This database can then be used Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) managers, as well as local planners, to facilitate decision making. The project was coordinated by Center for Geographic Information Technology (CGIT) and the Virginia Geospatial Extension Program at the Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation. Funding from the project was provided by the Virginia Department of Conservation (DCR) and Recreation and VDOT. Learn more about this project here:
• http://www.vt.edu/spotlight/innovation/2007-12-03_digital-trails/2007-12-03_digital-trails.html

 

Ciry of Waynesboro GIS Needs Analysis (2004-2005)

• The City of Waynesboro partnered with Blue Ridge Community College and The Virginia Geospatial Extension Program to develop an implementation plan to bring GIS to every City desktop. As a part of the implementation plan, a matrix was constructed to identify application areas and data needs for the City. This matrix of needs effectively serves as the city's implementation plan. You can view this matrix here. The article describing the process is avaible here:
• http://www.cnr.vt.edu/gep/pdfFiles/VAGeoNewsletter-Summer2005.pdf

The Extension Agent GPS Program (2003 - 2004)

 

Virginia Tech Cooperative Extension, Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation partner with the Virginia Space Grant Consortium in Geospatial Program (2003)

• Virginia Tech and the Virginia Space Grant Consortium have established the Space Grant Geospatial Extension Program in the College of Natural Resources at Virginia Tech's Blacksburg campus. The program will facilitate educational programs and workforce training to help deal with the serious shortfall of professionals and trained specialists who can utilize geospatial technologies at the local, regional, and state levels. (more)